1820 Feb. 17

Radicalism not dangerous

III. Experience

II. Ireland

Radicalism origin of

Factitious dignity its evil effects

3

In proportion to /Proportioned to/ the quantity of factitious dignity /worth/ a man is in the enjoyment of, in so far as the effect intended to be produced by the instruments or certificates by which it is conferred are produced accordingly, proportioned to the quantity of the effect so produced is the evil produced by it: proportioned to this quantity is the degree in which {in respect of} the degree of esteem /quantity of respect/ and goodwill enjoyed by him {he} is independent of his good behaviour: in other words, the degree or quantity /degree or quantity/ of those several virtues of prudence and beneficence and in particular the virtue of beneficence for the exercise of which he finds an adequate inducement the degree of natural worth for the acquisition of which he finds in his intercourse with others an effectual demand an adequate inducement is inversely as the quantity of money inversely as the quantity of power, inversely as the quantity of factitious dignity he is in possession of.

Of the possible money it is not possible that all men or any man should be divested altogether: with any such divestment the existence of the species is plainly incompatible.

Any very near approach to equality as between man and man in respect of the quantity of it possessed by one man compared with the quantity possessed by another is also as hath been shewn incompatible with the existence of the species: unless on the supposition that men could find adequate inducement to live in communities possessing all things in common; a supposition of which to any considerable extent the realization does not seem compatible with the effectual character of the species.

The quantity of the matter of wealth which each man shall be in possession of in virtue /by means/ of his own […?] industry or good fortune does not seem susceptible of any useful or even practicable limitation: but upon his death no bar in either regard[?] seems to oppose itself in whatsoever disposition of it may be most favourable /effectually subservient/ to the maintenance of practicable equality.